Illuminant Surgical, a medical technology company developing advanced image-guided surgical systems, has raised $8.4 million in seed funding to accelerate development and launch of its flagship Skylight™ platform. The financing was led by Wing 2 Wing Ventures, with participation from the National Science Foundation, National Cancer Institute, National Institute on Aging, Elderberry Ventures, Soma Capital, DRF, and other venture partners. The company plans to use the capital to expand engineering, manufacturing, and clinical development efforts as it works to bring its surgical guidance technology into healthcare settings.

Founded by Dr. James Hu and Eldrick Millares, Illuminant Surgical is building technology designed to improve how physicians visualize and navigate the human body during procedures. The company’s Skylight platform uses artificial intelligence, computer vision, and dynamic projection mapping to provide surgeons with real-time anatomical guidance by projecting medical images directly onto a patient’s body.

Wing 2 Wing Ventures led Illuminant Surgical’s $8.4 million seed financing. The investment supports the company’s efforts to commercialize a new approach to image-guided surgery that aims to reduce reliance on traditional navigation systems, external monitors, and complex equipment setups. By providing surgeons with a direct visual representation of internal anatomy, Illuminant Surgical aims to make procedures more intuitive and accessible.

The National Science Foundation, National Cancer Institute, and National Institute on Aging participated in supporting Illuminant Surgical’s technology development through funding programs and research support. The company has previously received government-backed grants supporting its work on computer vision, surgical navigation, and image-guided procedures.

Elderberry Ventures, Soma Capital, and DRF also joined the financing round. Their participation reflects growing investor interest in medical technology companies combining artificial intelligence, computer vision, and healthcare applications. The company’s approach sits at the intersection of artificial intelligence and surgical innovation, two areas attracting increased attention as healthcare providers seek tools that improve precision and efficiency.

Illuminant Surgical’s core product, Skylight™, is a projection-based clinical guidance platform designed to display a patient’s internal anatomy directly on the body surface during procedures. The system is intended to function as a heads-up display for surgeons, allowing physicians to view anatomical information without repeatedly shifting attention between the patient and separate imaging screens.

The platform combines proprietary technologies including SkinMatch™, a patient registration system that uses computer vision to align medical images with patient anatomy, and LightScreen™, a depth-adaptive projection technology designed to display anatomical details directly onto the patient. These technologies are intended to support procedures requiring precise navigation, including spine surgery and interventional access procedures.

The company’s technology addresses a challenge in modern surgery: physicians often rely on imaging systems, monitors, and navigation equipment to understand anatomy during procedures. Illuminant Surgical aims to simplify this workflow by bringing important visual information directly into the surgical field. The company believes this approach could help improve procedural accuracy while reducing complexity for healthcare providers.

Illuminant Surgical was founded with roots in research and engineering. The company has developed its technology around advances in computer vision, graphics, and medical imaging, with the goal of creating a more seamless experience for surgeons. Its founders have focused on building tools that combine advanced technology with practical clinical applications.

The company has also received support from federal research programs. Illuminant Surgical was awarded Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation for projects involving surgical navigation, markerless registration, and projected augmented reality systems. These programs have supported development of technologies designed to improve accuracy and affordability in image-guided procedures.

The funding arrives as the healthcare industry continues adopting artificial intelligence and advanced visualization technologies. Medical device companies are increasingly exploring ways to combine AI, imaging, and automation to improve outcomes and make complex procedures more efficient. Surgical navigation has become a growing area of innovation, with companies developing new approaches to assist physicians during operations.

Illuminant Surgical plans to use the new capital to accelerate product development, expand manufacturing capabilities, and continue clinical efforts related to Skylight™. The company is also focused on expanding the applications of its technology beyond its initial areas of focus, including spine procedures and interventional care.

With backing from Wing 2 Wing Ventures, Elderberry Ventures, Soma Capital, DRF, and support from organizations including the National Science Foundation, National Cancer Institute, and National Institute on Aging, Illuminant Surgical is advancing its mission to provide surgeons with enhanced visualization tools. The company aims to transform image-guided care by making anatomical information more accessible during medical procedures.

Related Articles